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Header: Ben Jones and Melissa WolfKlain in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Broadway by the Bay. Photo: David Allen

ATLAS (Advanced Training Leading Actors to Success)

Click here for the 2008 General Auditions Application (PDF).
Click here for the ATLAS Application

ATLAS FAQS

What is ATLAS?
ATLAS (Advanced Training Leading Actors to Success) is a program designed to lead actors through the process of developing a personal actor career map (read: “business plan”). Actors who complete the training can submit their map and five will be granted with a Titan Award, which includes $2,500 toward the implementation of that map, a year-long mentorship with a professional, and other career-boosters.
There are two ways to participate:

Fellowship Track: Up to 30 actors will be able to enroll in the “Fellowship Track” of the program. These 30 actors will pay $200 (either in one lump sum or in 3 installments) to attend all 17 hours of training. These actors will also get an automatic slot in the 2008 General Auditions and feedback from the auditions that can inform their map. Only actors who are in the Fellowship Track can submit their career map to apply for a grant at the end of the training. Applications for the program are found on the Theatre Bay Area web site and are due to be postmarked by December 3.

Register Per Class: Each class as listed below will be available for individual registration on a per-class basis. More information can be found here.

Who is the program for?
Actors. Any actor that meets the eligibility requirements can apply to be in the fellowship track. This can include actors who are just on the cusp of eligibility and actors who are more established. Anyone can register on a per-class basis as space allows.

How much does it cost?
The fellowship track costs $200 for 17 hours of training. This amount can be paid in full with the application or in three installments: $100 due with application, $50 due by January 1 and $50 due by January 12, 2008. Payment can made by cash (in person only at the Theatre Bay Area offices), check (enclosed with ATLAS application) or credit card (information submitted with ATLAS application). Once accepted into the program, ATLAS fees are nonrefundable. Each of the seven workshops will be offered as individual classes for $35 per class.

What do I get for my money?
Not only do you get the 17 hours of training, as outlined below, but you also get a guaranteed slot in the 2008 General Auditions and feedback from the auditions will be shared with you during the training to help you in the development of your career map. You also get the benefits of networking with actors who take their careers as seriously as you do.

Who can participate in ATLAS Fellowship Track?
All participants must:

How will you choose the 30 fellowship track actors?
If we receive more than 30 applications for the track, a screening committee will review the applications and chose up to 30 participants, based on their resumes and cover letters. Any actors not chosen will have their deposit/enrollment fee returned and their application for the General Auditions will be submitted into the lottery. Any actors who do not meet the minimum eligibility for the fellowship track are welcome to enroll in each individual workshop on a per class basis.

What is the class schedule?
The schedule for the classes is below. Classes will be held in San Francisco at a location to be determined. All classes are required to successfully prepare the participants to submit their career maps.

Saturday, January 19, 2008: 9am – 2pm

Personal Goal Setting with Velina Brown
Overview of the Bay Area Acting Scene with various theatre professionals

Saturday, January 26, 2008: 9am – 2pm        

Marketing Yourself with various theatre professionals
Writing A Career Map with Nancy Hytone-Leb

Monday, February 4, 2008: 6:30pm – 10:30pm        

Steps in a Career with various theatre professionals
Financial Tools and Sustainability Issues for Actors with Joe Weatherby and others

Monday, February 11, 2008: 7pm– 10pm

Personal Skills (Time Management, Stress Management)

What is a “career map”?
A career map is most comparable to a business plan. It has specific steps to reach your own goals, a timeline meet the goals and the expected result of reaching the goals.

How do you plan to lead actors through the process of developing a map?
Through the course of the 17 hours of workshop trainings, each participant will learn how to set goals, get an overview of the Bay Area acting scene and get specific business and personal tools to advance their careers. Participants will take this information and put it toward outlining their own specific steps toward reaching the next step in their career.

What kind of things can be included in my career map?
It is vital that your career map be beneficial to you whether you get the grant or not. The point of that plan is to identify the things that you know or discover that you want to do in order to take you to the next level in your career. Simply articulating these steps is an important step in career development that is rarely taken, yet hugely beneficial. Even if you are not granted, the process of going through this career examination will have lasting benefit. Your career map may include such diverse steps as new headshots, renting or purchasing a car to increase your ability to audition/work at areas farther away from your home, taking a job at a smaller company that offers you a particular benefit, financing a showcase for yourself or taking advantage of training opportunities (although keep in mind if that training is outside of the Bay Area you should make it clear the impact this training will have on you when you return to your Bay Area work). These examples are not intended to limit the types of things you might want to put on your map. These are just to give you some ideas that are in the realm of possibility. The map is your own personal creation. The map should also include a request for a particular mentor and how that partnership would affect your career in the coming year.

Who can I ask to mentor with?
Anyone you think would help you reach the steps in your personal career goals. It could be an actor, a director, a casting director, a teacher, a bookkeeper, a financial planner: whatever it is that is specific to your plan and your map to success. We don’t guarantee we will be able to get your first choice, so please feel free to make a couple of suggestions and we will do our best.

Do I have to name a particular person?
You don’t have to name your potential mentor, but could say what qualities/experiences you would be looking for in your mentor.

What is a Titan Award?
Five Titan Awards will be given from among the actors who have completed the training and submitted their career map for evaluation by a panel of professionals. The Titan Award consists of $2,500 toward the implementation of the actor’s career map, a year-long mentorship with a professional and many other benefits.

How will the $2,500 be distributed?
Once granted, an actor will submit a request to Theatre Bay Area and their mentor for costs involved with a specific step in their map. Once the request is approved by all parties, a check will be cut.

Is the $2,500 taxable?
YES! You will receive a 1099 for all grant dollars paid to you over the course of a calendar year. Since the granting period can be as long as through April 30, 2009 a Titan Award winner may actually receive two 1099s, depending on the flow of the funds.

What if I am not currently a member of Theatre Bay Area?
You must be a member of Theatre Bay Area by December 3, 2008 (membership good through 4/30/2008) in order for your application to be processed. Ideally, send your membership form with your application or join online at www.theatrebayarea.org. On the application form where it asks for your membership number please write “just joined.”

How do I apply?
Applications are available on the Theatre Bay Area web site. Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter of no more than one page where you tell us three things about you as an actor, three things you like about working in the Bay Area, and three you have done to make a change in your career.

What if I am a member of Theatre Bay Area and do not have my membership number?
Leave this line blank if you do not have your number. Please do not call or e-mail Theatre Bay Area for this number. We will associate it with your membership when it arrives and contact you if we have questions. A side note: You need your membership number to access the TBA web site and maximize your membership. Feel free to e-mail members@theatrebayarea.org if you need a new card.

When is the application due?
The applications must be postmarked by December 3, 2007. No late applications can be accepted. This rule is strictly enforced!

Will this be the only year the program happens?
2008 is the pilot phase of the three-year program. We will have at least two more rounds of this program. Look for more information on Round 2 in Fall 2008.

How do I hear whether or not I have been accepted into the Fellowship Track?
All applicants will receive notification by mail.

What if I have more questions?
There will be a presentation on the ATLAS program at the 2007 Casting Directors Town Hall Meeting, November 5, 2007 from 7-9pm at the New Conservatory Theatre at 25 Van Ness in San Francisco. There will also be a separate ATLAS Q & A session the following week, November 13, 2007 starting at 7pm at the Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy Street, San Francisco. Visit http://www.theatrebayarea.org/programs/spotlight.jsp for details on these events. For additional questions, please contact Dale Albright, director of individual services, at (415) 430-1140, ext.14 with additional questions. You can also e-mail him at dale@theatrebayarea.org.